Activities of Martina MICHELS related to 2023/2061(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on reshaping the future framework of EU structural funds to support regions particularly affected by challenges related to the automotive, green and digital transitions
Amendments (38)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the green and digital transitions, diversification of energy and raw maerials supply as well as developements in technology will give rise to new challenges as well as new opportunities for the economic, social, environmental and territorial cohesion of the European Union;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the green and digital transitions, diversification of energy and raw maerials supply as well as developements in technology will give rise to new challenges as well as new opportunities for the economic, social, environmental and territorial cohesion of the European Union;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas climate-related EU policies must be carefully crafted to take account of the significant economic, social and political impact these measures may have on regions so as to promote resilience and reduce disparities by means of targeted support and tailored strategiescan significantly contribute to the economic, social and political development, resilience and cohesion of regions in transition if they are accompanied by the right mix of tailored strategies and targeted support to people and industries in order for them to be able to adapt to and co-create change;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas climate-related EU policies must be carefully crafted to take account of the significant economic, social and political impact these measures may have on regions so as to promote resilience and reduce disparities by means of targeted support and tailored strategiescan significantly contribute to the economic, social and political development, resilience and cohesion of regions in transition if they are accompanied by the right mix of tailored strategies and targeted support to people and industries in order for them to be able to adapt to and co-create change;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas there are profound differences between the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the various regions and consequently there is no one- size-fits-all solution for all territorial and socioeconomic needs; whereas the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are the best suited EU investment tool to alleviate the burden of the twin green and digital transitions and the automotiveU cohesion policy tools and practices are best placed to help regions to approach the twin green and digital transitions, including in those regions facing fundamental transition os in the worst- affected regionautomotive sector related industries and services;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas there are profound differences between the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the various regions and consequently there is no one- size-fits-all solution for all territorial and socioeconomic needs; whereas the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are the best suited EU investment tool to alleviate the burden of the twin green and digital transitions and the automotiveU cohesion policy tools and practices are best placed to help regions to approach the twin green and digital transitions, including in those regions facing fundamental transition os in the worst- affected regionautomotive sector related industries and services;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the different stages of production processes in the automotive industry are not necessarily located in one and the same area for one manufacturer, but suppliers and related services may be located in different regions in different Member States and third countries, whereas this naturally constitutes a basis for dependencies but also for solidarity and cooperation among regions;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the different stages of production processes in the automotive industry are not necessarily located in one and the same area for one manufacturer, but suppliers and related services may be located in different regions in different Member States and third countries, whereas this naturally constitutes a basis for dependencies but also for solidarity and cooperation among regions;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas road transport constitutes the highest proportion of overall transport emissions; whereas in order to keep pace with the zero CO2 emissions target for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in 2035 and carbon neutrality in Europe by 2050, the automotive industry ismust therefore undergoing a major transformation due to the adoption of zero and low-emission technologiesand become part of a larger scale "mobility transformation", which will reshape business models and value chains as well as behavioural patterns within the sector and society and which will entail significant employment and social changes, with patterns varying by region; recalls in particular that certain concepts that work for urban areas are less feasible or not sufficient for rural areas;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas road transport constitutes the highest proportion of overall transport emissions; whereas in order to keep pace with the zero CO2 emissions target for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in 2035 and carbon neutrality in Europe by 2050, the automotive industry ismust therefore undergoing a major transformation due to the adoption of zero and low-emission technologiesand become part of a larger scale "mobility transformation", which will reshape business models and value chains as well as behavioural patterns within the sector and society and which will entail significant employment and social changes, with patterns varying by region; recalls in particular that certain concepts that work for urban areas are less feasible or not sufficient for rural areas;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the current regulatory framework does not provide specific support measures and funding for European regions whose GDP is mainly generated by the automotive sector; whereas, however, cohesion policy funding through the ERDF/CF offers opportunities to invest in a greener Europe, and whereas the Just Transition Fund is a first example of an EU fund specifically created for regions and sectors in transition; whereas Members States have very different levels of ability to provide state aid to their transition regions;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the current regulatory framework does not provide specific support measures and funding for European regions whose GDP is mainly generated by the automotive sector; whereas, however, cohesion policy funding through the ERDF/CF offers opportunities to invest in a greener Europe, and whereas the Just Transition Fund is a first example of an EU fund specifically created for regions and sectors in transition; whereas Members States have very different levels of ability to provide state aid to their transition regions;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms that cohesion policy should neither compensate for budgetary inflexibility nor suffer cuts due to crises, and that, as a long-term investment strategy, it should equip regions to address industriand co-create industrial, technological, ecological, digital, social and demographic transitions;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms that cohesion policy should neither compensate for budgetary inflexibility nor suffer cuts due to crises, and that, as a long-term investment strategy, it should equip regions to address industriand co-create industrial, technological, ecological, digital, social and demographic transitions;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Strongly recommends the inclusion of a new policy objective on industrial transition within the EU cohesion policy beyond 2027; stresses that this objective should promote European strategic autonomy and address the adverse effects of the decades of delaying the green and digital transitions which now need to be taken up at an even higher speed while other crises hitting at the same time, particularly focusing on mitigating the negative repercussions on employment and social wellbeing through support and diversification of local and regional economies;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Strongly recommends the inclusion of a new policy objective on industrial transition within the EU cohesion policy beyond 2027; stresses that this objective should promote European strategic autonomy and address the adverse effects of the decades of delaying the green and digital transitions which now need to be taken up at an even higher speed while other crises hitting at the same time, particularly focusing on mitigating the negative repercussions on employment and social wellbeing through support and diversification of local and regional economies;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the EU cohesion policy beyond 2027 should follow a more differentiated and targeted approach, moving from the use of income-related criteria to determine the level of support to other criteria that also take into account regions’ characteristics and future growth potential, such as the youth unemployment rate, poverty, job dependency on transition sectors and research and development investment or the existing skills gap;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the EU cohesion policy beyond 2027 should follow a more differentiated and targeted approach, moving from the use of income-related criteria to determine the level of support to other criteria that also take into account regions’ characteristics and future growth potential, such as the youth unemployment rate, poverty, job dependency on transition sectors and research and development investment or the existing skills gap;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recommends the creation of a new ‘Just Transition Fund 2.0’ in the upcoming programming period after 2027, which should be endowed with more and additional financial means, have a wider scope, focus on the appropriate NUTS level and be fully integrated in the Common Provisions Regulation16 ; _________________ 16 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recommends the creation of a new ‘Just Transition Fund 2.0’ in the upcoming programming period after 2027, which should be endowed with more and additional financial means, have a wider scope, focus on the appropriate NUTS level and be fully integrated in the Common Provisions Regulation16 ; _________________ 16 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need to ensure the fair treatment of micro, small and medium- sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the distribution of the ESIF by drastically simplifying the administrative steps required to access these funds, by adapting the requirements to the size of the company and by making progress towards full implementation of the ‘only once principle’, which means that citizens and businesses are only required to provide certain standard information to the authorities once;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need to ensure the fair treatment of micro, small and medium- sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the distribution of the ESIF by drastically simplifying the administrative steps required to access these funds, by adapting the requirements to the size of the company and by making progress towards full implementation of the ‘only once principle’, which means that citizens and businesses are only required to provide certain standard information to the authorities once;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises that digitalisation currently still brings more economic benefits to developed regions, while less developed ones struggle owing to the need to shift from labour-intensive to capital- intensive technologies; stresses in this respect the key role played by local educational and research institutions in leading digital innovation hubs, noting the waste of expertise due to uncoordinated regional policies;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises that digitalisation currently still brings more economic benefits to developed regions, while less developed ones struggle owing to the need to shift from labour-intensive to capital- intensive technologies; stresses in this respect the key role played by local educational and research institutions in leading digital innovation hubs, noting the waste of expertise due to uncoordinated regional policies;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Believes that training and retraining of workers, upskilling, reskilling and lifelong education must ensure that nobody, regardless of their work sector, their type of contract, gender or their geographical location is forgotten on the path to the EU green and digital transition;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Believes that training and retraining of workers, upskilling, reskilling and lifelong education must ensure that nobody, regardless of their work sector, their type of contract, gender or their geographical location is forgotten on the path to the EU green and digital transition;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that the decarbonisation of road transport must follow a well-planned strategy of "mobility transition" that ensures a smooth and socially acceptable transition for the workers and companies affected, especially those in less developed regions and regions facing demographic or territorial challenges; such mobility transition should include a shift towards decarbonised rail and bus transport and thus a shift to more production of respective rail vehicles and buses; considers that this strategy must include a detailed plan for re-skilling workers, providing alternative employment options for people currently employed in the automotive sector and providing incentives and support to ensure that new industrial plants resulting from the transition remain within the region, thereby maintaining the spillover effects in those areas, but that such as strategy must also include long- term public planning with regard to the expansion of rail and public transport, including local and regional;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that the decarbonisation of road transport must follow a well-planned strategy of "mobility transition" that ensures a smooth and socially acceptable transition for the workers and companies affected, especially those in less developed regions and regions facing demographic or territorial challenges; such mobility transition should include a shift towards decarbonised rail and bus transport and thus a shift to more production of respective rail vehicles and buses; considers that this strategy must include a detailed plan for re-skilling workers, providing alternative employment options for people currently employed in the automotive sector and providing incentives and support to ensure that new industrial plants resulting from the transition remain within the region, thereby maintaining the spillover effects in those areas, but that such as strategy must also include long- term public planning with regard to the expansion of rail and public transport, including local and regional;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to put forward the necessary proposal to ensure the continuity of the Just Transition Mechanism and that it is endowed with sufficient and additional funds to include support for regions that are dependent on the automotive and parts-supply industry and services, in particular in the relevant Just Transition Fund mainstreamed within the cohesion policy, so that synergies and spillover effects can be promoted with various European funds and programmes to address the regional transformation process;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to put forward the necessary proposal to ensure the continuity of the Just Transition Mechanism and that it is endowed with sufficient and additional funds to include support for regions that are dependent on the automotive and parts-supply industry and services, in particular in the relevant Just Transition Fund mainstreamed within the cohesion policy, so that synergies and spillover effects can be promoted with various European funds and programmes to address the regional transformation process;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. reminds that local and regional authorities are often largely responsible for implementing policies relating to decent work, quality jobs and training and that the territorial dimension of these policies is thus of vital importance; to this end, recalls the importance of equal administrative capacity and access to funding and to information in all EU regions;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. reminds that local and regional authorities are often largely responsible for implementing policies relating to decent work, quality jobs and training and that the territorial dimension of these policies is thus of vital importance; to this end, recalls the importance of equal administrative capacity and access to funding and to information in all EU regions;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the just transition plans for automotive-dependent regions should follow a place-based approach and should be managed by the competent authorities on the basis of the principles of partnership and multilevel governance and incentivise interregional and cross-border cooperation of transition regions, including cooperation between regions of different levels of economic development; emphasises, further, the need to prioritise investments in re-skilling programmes and sustainable economic diversification strategies across the whole value chain to ensure a smooth and inclusive transition for workers and local economies;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the just transition plans for automotive-dependent regions should follow a place-based approach and should be managed by the competent authorities on the basis of the principles of partnership and multilevel governance and incentivise interregional and cross-border cooperation of transition regions, including cooperation between regions of different levels of economic development; emphasises, further, the need to prioritise investments in re-skilling programmes and sustainable economic diversification strategies across the whole value chain to ensure a smooth and inclusive transition for workers and local economies;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recognises the significance of providing support to all companies in the sectors undergoing the transition, with special emphasis on MSMEs, which may have limited resources to achieve the necessary transformation; stresses the importance of targeted assistance to help MSMEs acquire, upgrade and maintain physical assets and infrastructure, and to invest in research and development; emphasises the need for dedicated funding programmes, capacity-building initiatives and technical assistance specifically tailored to the needs of MSMEs in order to ensure their successful integration into the sector’s evolving landscape;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recognises the significance of providing support to all companies in the sectors undergoing the transition, with special emphasis on MSMEs, which may have limited resources to achieve the necessary transformation; stresses the importance of targeted assistance to help MSMEs acquire, upgrade and maintain physical assets and infrastructure, and to invest in research and development; emphasises the need for dedicated funding programmes, capacity-building initiatives and technical assistance specifically tailored to the needs of MSMEs in order to ensure their successful integration into the sector’s evolving landscape;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Member States to ensure an adequate and equitable ecosystem for the penetration of electric mobility and, in this regard, to provide public alternative fuel infrastructure in rural regions, island and remote and regions with a low population density that are not adequately covered by private providers so as to meet the needs of the resident population; considers, in this regard, that the price of this publicly provided service should mirror the average price of the service offered by private providers in that same region or Member State;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Member States to ensure an adequate and equitable ecosystem for the penetration of electric mobility and, in this regard, to provide public alternative fuel infrastructure in rural regions, island and remote and regions with a low population density that are not adequately covered by private providers so as to meet the needs of the resident population; considers, in this regard, that the price of this publicly provided service should mirror the average price of the service offered by private providers in that same region or Member State;